Maligned Spence morphs into England super sub at business end of World Cup
ATLANTA: A controversial selection in the World Cup squad and panned for his performance against DR Congo in the Round of 32, Djed Spence has morphed into a…
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Summary
ATLANTA: A controversial selection in the World Cup squad and panned for his performance against DR Congo in the Round of 32, Djed Spence has morphed into a key impact substitute for England at the business end of the tournament. Thrown on in the latter stages of the last-16 victory over Mexico and Saturday's quarter-final win against Norway, Spence has silenced his critics by bringing pace, energy and passion off the bench in impressive cameos. There was what looked like another heated exchange of ideas when Spence was brought on in the 86th minute of normal time against Norway, but Spence said there had been no problem. “I think it’s just passion,” he said. “Just psyching me up to go on the pitch and cause trouble, and, yeah, that’s what I did.” Spence’s pace was indeed a thorn in the side of the tiring Norwegian side throughout the rest of a match played in stifling humidity, and he would have earned England a penalty had VAR not intervened.
Furthermore, England ultimately progressed courtesy of Jude Bellingham’s extra-time winner but the goalscorer was quick to praise Spence, his fellow defensive substitute Dan Burn as well as midfielder Elliot Anderson for protecting the lead. “Warriors, warriors,” Bellingham said. Unmistakable for the chin strap he wears to protect a broken jaw sustained in a late-season Premier League match with his club Tottenham Hotspur, Spence has played a part in all six of England's matches at the tournament. The storm of criticism also led to a focus on his relationship with Tuchel, who, critics pointed out, often targeted Spence with animated blasts from the sidelines.
In addition, The round of 16 victory over Mexico registered a 201.5% increase, measured over Sunday and Monday to reflect the game kicking off in the small hours. The semi-final marks a significant encounter, with England aiming to reach their first men's World Cup final since winning the trophy in 1966. The data does not capture England’s quarter-final win over Norway but figures released by Dojo, a card payments company, showed a 23% increase in takings compared with the previous Saturday.
Moreover, ‘Streetwise’ England will maintain discipline during World Cup semi-final against Argentina, Pickford says.
Cross-referenced from 6 sources.
Factual coreconfirmed by several independent voices
ATLANTA: A controversial selection in the World Cup squad and panned for his performance against DR Congo in the Round of 32, Djed Spence has morphed into a key impact substitute for England at the business end of the tournament
reliability moderate3/3 sourcesThrown on in the latter stages of the last-16 victory over Mexico and Saturday's quarter-final win against Norway, Spence has silenced his critics by bringing pace, energy and passion off the bench in impressive cameos.
reliability moderate2/2 sourcesThere was what looked like another heated exchange of ideas when Spence was brought on in the 86th minute of normal time against Norway, but Spence said there had been no problem. “I think it’s just passion,” he said. “Just psyching me up to go on the pitch and cause trouble, and, yeah, that’s what I did.” Spence’s pace was indeed a thorn in the side of the tiring Norwegian side throughout the rest of a match played in stifling humidity, and he would have earned England a penalty had VAR not intervened.
reliability moderate2/2 sourcesEngland ultimately progressed courtesy of Jude Bellingham’s extra-time winner but the goalscorer was quick to praise Spence, his fellow defensive substitute Dan Burn as well as midfielder Elliot Anderson for protecting the lead. “Warriors, warriors,” Bellingham said.
reliability moderate2/2 sourcesUnmistakable for the chin strap he wears to protect a broken jaw sustained in a late-season Premier League match with his club Tottenham Hotspur, Spence has played a part in all six of England's matches at the tournament.
reliability moderate2/2 sourcesThe storm of criticism also led to a focus on his relationship with Tuchel, who, critics pointed out, often targeted Spence with animated blasts from the sidelines.
reliability moderate2/2 sources
Reported detailssecondary facts, each attributed to its source
The round of 16 victory over Mexico registered a 201.5% increase, measured over Sunday and Monday to reflect the game kicking off in the small hours.
according to The Guardian - BusinessThe semi-final marks a significant encounter, with England aiming to reach their first men's World Cup final since winning the trophy in 1966.
according to The IndependentThe data does not capture England’s quarter-final win over Norway but figures released by Dojo, a card payments company, showed a 23% increase in takings compared with the previous Saturday.
according to The Guardian - Business‘Streetwise’ England will maintain discipline during World Cup semi-final against Argentina, Pickford says.
according to The IndependentFor me, the pathway he went on, he had to wait to get his chance for Argentina and then he took it. “His antics are his antics, but as a goalkeeper he's a top keeper, and that's what top keepers do. “Whether he has his antics or I have my antics, it's about putting the gloves on and putting that performance in.
according to Evening StandardHead coach Thomas Tuchel and his coaching staff had been preparing for the tournament on the assumption that at least one knockout match would head to penalties if they were to go all the way, purely on the basis of probability.
according to Evening StandardSpence morphs into England super sub at business end of World Cup 14-Jul-2026, 07:04 14 Jul 2026, 07:04 Tottenham Hotspur defender Djed Spence answers critics with energetic displays off the bench amid England's full-back shortage.
according to Free Malaysia Today"It's one thing to have quality, which all the lads in this group do, but you don't know how much heart and mentality they have until you're in a situation like that."
according to Channel News Asia
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England’s lack of resources at full back means the versatile defender is likely to again be called upon to play some sort of role against…
omitted byLeft sideRight sidecovered byCenterATLANTA: A controversial selection in the World Cup squad and panned for his performance against DR Congo in the Round of 32, Djed Spence…
omitted byLeft sideRight sidecovered byCenterThrown on in the latter stages of the last-16 victory over Mexico and Saturday's quarter-final win against Norway, Spence has silenced his…
omitted byLeft sideRight sidecovered byCenterThere was what looked like another heated exchange of ideas when Spence was brought on in the 86th minute of normal time against Norway,…
omitted byLeft sideRight sidecovered byCenterEngland ultimately progressed courtesy of Jude Bellingham’s extra-time winner but the goalscorer was quick to praise Spence, his fellow…
omitted byLeft sideRight sidecovered byCenter
Sources6 sources cross-checked
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